Deadhouse Gates
Weakened by events in Darujhistan, the Malazan Empire teeters on the brink of chaos. In the vast dominion of Seven Cities, in the Holy Desert Raraku, the seer Sha'ik gathers an army around her in preparation for the long-prophesied uprising named the Whirlwind. Unprecedented in its size and savagery, it will embroil the Empire in one of the bloodiest conflicts it has ever known: a maelstrom of fanaticism and bloodlust that will shape destinies and give birth to legends...
In the Otataral mines, Felisin, youngest daughter of the disgraced House of Paran, dreams of revenge against the sister who sentenced her to a life of slavery. Escape leads her to Raraku, where her soul will be reborn and her future made clear. The now-outlawed Bridgeburners, Fiddler and the assassin Kalam, have woved to return the once god-possessed Apsalar to her homeland, and to confront and kill the Empress Laseen, but events will overtake them too. Meanwhile Coltaine, the charismatic but untried commander of the Malaz 7th Army, will lead his battered, war-weary troops in a last, valiant running battle to save the lives of thirty thousand refugees and, in so doing, secure an illustrious place in the Empire's chequered history. And into this blighted land come two ancient wanderers, Mappo the Trell and his half-Jaghut companion, Icarium, bearers of a devastating secret that threatens to break free of its chains.
Set
in a brilliantly realized world ravaged by anarchy and dark,
uncontrollable magic, Deadhouse Gates is the thrilling, brutal second
chapter in the monumental Malazan Book of the Fallen. A powerful,
harrowing novel of war, intrigue and betrayal, it confirms Steven
Erikson as a storyteller of breathtaking skill, imagination and
originality – a new master of epic fantasy.
"Erikson afflicts me with awe... vast in scope, almost
frighteningly fecund in imagination, and rich in sympathy, his work
does something that only the rarest of books can manage: it alters the
reader's perceptions of reality." – Stephen R. Donaldson
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Steven Erikson
Steven Erikson's writing is an intricate tapestry of history, mythology, and human experience, woven into the fabric of his expansive fantasy worlds. Born in Canada and trained as an archaeologist and anthropologist, his background in these fields lends a rich texture to his novels. His stories are not just escapist adventuresâthey are philosophical explorations into the nature of conflict, morality, and the intricate societies that shape human lives.
Eriksonâs Malazan Book of the Fallen series stands as a towering achievement in epic fantasy. Its labyrinthine plots, vast world-building, and morally complex characters have garnered a loyal following, with each novel revealing new layers of depth. The series kicks off with Gardens of the Moon, a work that redefined the scope of fantasy with its mature themes and unflinching exploration of power, war, and the price of immortality. Recognized with critical acclaim and shortlisted for the World Fantasy Award, this series catapulted Erikson into the pantheon of modern fantasy giants.
The Malazan Book of the Fallen
A Tale of the Malazan Book of the Fallen is a ten books epic fantasy series written by author Steven Erikson. The scope and breadth of this series is so truly vast as to be unrivaled in the fantasy field today, mostly thanks to Erikson's finely crafted storytelling and his twenty years of experience in anthropology and archaeology.
The Malazan Book of the Fallen consists of ten primary books, and includes one additional book that complement the series but is not considered mandatory reads. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.
Main series Malazan World
Book Reviews
Great novel, but didn't quite earn the fifth star from me. Reading it took unusually long, the complex world (and especially it's vastly explained history) takes some concentration to comprehend. Erikson creates poetic descriptions even of the most gorey scenes which almost makes you forget you're not reading about pretty things. He also kicks it up a notch in the humor and romance departments, giving some needed relief in the midst of non-stopping battles, guts and severed body parts. Highly recommended, although I personally need some "lighter" read for a change before picking up the next entry of this series.
Deadhouse Gates is the second book of the great Tales of the Malazan Book of the Fallen. All I can say about this book is that you should read it as soon as possible, if you haven't read it already. Deadhouse Gates is an excellent fantasy book and it's epic high fantasy at its best!